Contents

Overview

The Maverick is based on the Bell 206 L Longranger, but the GTA IV rendition features four blades on its main rotor, similar to the Bell 407, but retaining the body design of previous Mavericks (pre-release material such as television footage suggests GTA IV's Maverick was originally intended to retain its two blade rotor).

Overall, the Maverick is a good choice of transport in GTA Vice City, but GTA San Andreas has many better options. In GTA IV, most helicopters are just variants of the Maverick, so for style go for a different variant (like a Helitours Maverick). However, for function, go for an Annihilator as it has weaponry and is the fastest helicopter in the game. Since GTA Vice City, the police has their own version of the Maverick called the Police Maverick.

GTA Vice City — GTA Vice City Stories

In GTA Vice City, the Maverick is a fully accessible vehicle, available in quite a few places. It has a moderate maximum speed, can survive some damage, and it is the only helicopter that is available in a variety of colors. There is also another smaller two-passenger version dubbed VCN Maverick that is used by the Vice City News Network.

In GTA San Andreas, the Maverick is essentially the same helicopter, but with slightly altered handling, and a new sound. As in GTA Vice City, there is also a news helicopter version of the Maverick, the News Chopper, that can be seen flying along with the Police Maverick once the player reaches a 4-star wanted level.

In GTA Vice City Stories, the Maverick is used in some missions. During the mission High Wire, a magnet is attached to the Maverick to act like a sky crane, which is not available outside the mission. Lance also owns one, which is seen occasionally in the game.

GTA IV — GTA V

GTA IV

A Maverick in GTA IV.

In GTA IV the Maverick has been changed slightly, including new crash animations, new sound and better design, although it still remains similar to the previous Mavericks. In GTA IV, the Maverick is the only civilian helicopter, and it may be found at either Francis International Airport, some of the helipads or on skyscraper helipads, the Alderney Heliport above the Booth Tunnel or even during Brucie's Heli Ride activity. Since this is an unarmed helicopter (unless a passenger is shooting a weapon), this is not advised for chases or any fighting in general.

When the player unlocks Brucie's Chopper ability, the player can spot a humorous label on the "A" pillar while in the passenger seat: "This helicopter might crash but we really don't care if it does, refer to flight manual for help." This label can also be found on Helitours Maverick's when the player takes any helitour.

In addition to the aforementioned difference in rotor design (a two-blade rotor replaced by a four-blade variety), pre-release materials also depict earlier forms of the Maverick as having shut rear doors, as opposed to slid open doors in the final version.

Pre-release GTA IV game art of an early Maverick with a two-blade rotor and closed rear doors.

GTA V

The Maverick returns in GTA V. Pitted against the other civilian helicopter in the game, the Maverick is inferior - it is slower, and more unstable in crosswinds and prone to damage because of its light construction. More noticeably, though, is the return to a two-bladed main rotor.

Pre-release GTAV screenshot from the official website.

GTA V, final game.

A unique green-and-white variant of the Maverick, owned by Dom Beasley.

Notable owners

Massimo Torini (x2) - Massimo owns a Maverick with a unique jet black with two white stripes color, which is seen during the missions, Calm Before the Storm and The Sicilian Gambit. (Note that the Maverick in Calm Before the Storm is completely indestructible, except if hit by a train, while the one in The Sicilian Gambit is normal.)

In Grand Theft Auto IV, despite having its rear door open, the player will always smash the window rather than a safer way by going trough the back door. The same thing happens to the Annihilator.

It is possible to use the Maverick to obtain the One Man Army Trophy/Achievement in Grand Theft Auto IV. First, the player has to obtain a six star wanted level either using cheats or by killing civillians and destroying vehicles. Once the six stars have been obtained, the player is to fly the Maverick as high as they can while at the same time making sure they stay inside the search radius. Wait five minutes and the player should gain the achievement.

Helipad at The Emerald Isle (If it does not spawn, walk to the very west of the building and walk back and it should be there).

GTA Liberty City Stories

Much like other helicopters in the game, the Maverick in GTA Liberty City Stories is unobtainable, as the game's developer may have been unable to adapt the entire city for player-controlled helicopters, such as adding solid boundaries on building and roofs, setting a ceiling height limit, or a crash animation. Also, the Maverick takes extremely high damage if its rotors touch a building, unlike in GTA Vice City and Vice City Stories.

However, the helicopter is, along with the Police Maverick, the only helicopter to appear proper during mission, although the player is normally unable to obtain one in any of its appearances (unless otherwise stated):

During "Calm Before the Storm", an indestructible Maverick is used as Massimo Torini's mode of transport, sporting a uniquely jet black color with two white stripes. The helicopter can be obtained in the PSP version as the helicopter makes a stopover at Chinatown.

Roof of the MeTV skyscraper in Star Junction, Algonquin. Its roof can be accessed via a window-cleaner's lift on the west end next to Kunzite Street or by flying there using another helicopter. Only spawns occasionally. Replaced by the Annihilator after killing all 200 Pigeons.

On a helipad in front of a waterfront tunnel ventilation tower on the western edge of Purgatory, Algonquin. Only spawns occasionally.